NFL Week 2 Predictions: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, 9/15/13, 8:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Seattle -3
Current Betting Line: Seattle -3
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 44
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The San Francisco 49ers are 6-2-1 ATS as underdogs the last two-plus seasons

San Francisco picked up a 34-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers as five-point home favorites in Week 1, while going OVER the betting total of 48. The 49ers now turn their focus to divisional play, as they’ve captured the last two NFC West titles—edging out the Seahawks by a half game in the standings a season ago. 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is always looking to beat Seattle’s Pete Carroll, as the two developed a rivalry during their times at Stanford and USC in the Pac-12 Conference respectively. San Francisco is 6-2-1 ATS as underdogs the last two-plus seasons, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting lines in Week 2.

The 49ers are hoping that third-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick can continue his strong play, as he completed 27 of 39 passes for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns last week. He was able to connect on just 19 of 36 throws for 244 yards with a touchdown and interception in his start against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field a season ago—resulting in a 42-13 defeat as 2.5-point road underdogs.

Seattle earned a 12-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers as three-point road favorites last week, as it one the statistical battle by 127 yards despite traveling to the Eastern Time Zone. The Seahawks possess one of the top secondaries in football, but that group will likely be without Brandon Browner in this affair, as he’s listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL predictions. Seattle is 13-3 ATS at home since 2011, with the OVER going 10-6 in those 16 opportunities.

The Seahawks need to get running back Marshawn Lynch going, as he gained just 43 yards on the ground in last week’s win over the Panthers. He’ll be going against one of the best linebacker units in football, with NaVarro Bowman and Patrick Willis combining for 354 tackles a season ago. The series is tied at 14 after the teams split last season’s home-and-home series, but Seattle may have an edge with signal-caller Russell Wilson, who is coming off his first 300-plus yard passing performance in a regular season game.